Chapter 21
Stonesight took a pawstep towards his brother's ears pinned against his head, he realized he may have been a little unsympathetic towards his brother regarding the prophecy. "Amberpet…" Stonesight's voice was soft and quiet as Amberpelt forced his way out of the makeshift medicine den; Stonesight sighed heavily, gaze lowering to the craggy surface below him, "that didn't go well…" Leafstorm's voice was soft and feeble, clearly heavily disturbed by their brother's reaction and the whole interaction as a whole. Stonesight's gaze slid back to his brother who was still laying in his nest propped up his dark sage green eyes filled with worry and anxiety. Stonesight sighed and nodded, "it was my fault I should have handled things better…. I am going after him." Stonesight's voice was heavy with shame, he had been mad at Tideripple for not telling the clan before she went into kitting but he shouldn't have taken it out on Amberpelt. Leafstorm nodded his gaze burning with determination; "yeah tell him that we will tell him everything we know!" said Leafstorm, his tail swishing wildly behind him, Stonesight gave a soft smirk, his fur lowering and flattening as he calmed down fully as he turned around pushing his way out of the medicine den. Suddenly a small glowing silverish blue light appeared in front of Stonesight's face making him startle, the light floated back a bit then flashed brightly as the form of Greystorm suddenly appeared. Stonesight's eyes widened in surprise and relief he hadn't seen Greystorm in so long and had worried for his starry friend, but suddenly three more silvery blue light appeared and flashed as the forms of Minkpaw, Hollywillow and a cat Stonesight didn't recognize; a slick tabby tom with bright green eyes. The tom bowed his head politely to Stonesight with a small smile on his face; "Greetings Stonesight allow me to introduce myself, my name is Thistledawn I am a friend of Greystorm." he meowed his voice soft and his eyes glittered with excitement. "You must excuse him, he's just excited to meet you." came a chuckle from Greystorm nudging Thistledawn fondly; Stonesight felt relief flood through upon seeing the starry cats; he had thought Starclan had abandoned him after the flooding. He nuzzled Greystorm, a purr rumbling through his chest a few tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, "I missed you so much…." he mumbled, causing Greystorm to purr as well and ruffle his fur at the top of his head with a paw. "Don't worry I won't ever leave your side…" Greystorm's voice was full of soft love and certainty; Stonesight gave a fond and happy smile as he slowly pulled away from his friend's chest furr. "Stonesight I am sorry we showed up so suddenly, however we must speak with you about something of dire importance." Minkpaw's voice was serious; it seemed she had grown as a cat after her death. Stonesight's ears pricked at the words of the she-cat feeling worry begin to seep it's way into his heart and mind; Greystorm nodded his playful and soft expression suddenly turning to a serious stoney one. "Yes unfortunately we didn't just come here to see you kit unfortunately we bare some concerning news." Greystorm's voice was rough and worried. Stonesight shifted on his paws feeling his front leg ache from standing for so long, "what's the news?" he asked, feeling like a lump began to form in his throat; Minkpaw glanced towards Thistledawn who nodded softly for Minkpaw to be the one to deliver the news to Stonesight. Minkpaw sighed heavily then her sage green eyes burned with sureness; "the darkforest has been making moves we are unsure though what exactly they are up to though….." trailed off Minkpaw glancing towards her brother Creamstripe on the other side of the makeshift camp, speaking with Flametail in hushed whispers; Minkpaw's eyes showed a great weight of sadness as she stared at her litter-mate. Stonesight flinched feeling guilt burn at his body like harsh flames from a blazing fire. He felt so hot with shame, "if I had been fast enough maybe Minkpaw wouldn't have died…" Stonesight rarely thought about Minkpaw's death as it was over a season ago, however whenever he sees Creamstripe slip out of camp when he thinks no is looking to visit his sister's grave or when Creamstripe will wake up crying out for his sister in the warrior's den; Stonesight's shame and grief would return. Stonesight shook his head trying his best to push the grief and guilt down; he couldn't imagine the amount of grief that losing a litter-mate would cause. Stonesight sighed heavily as his thoughts returned to the matter at paw, "so the darkforest is trying to do something but no one is sure what…" that certainly wasn't anything good; "just for now keep any eye out for any cat acting suspicious and let us know what you find." Thistledawn nodded at Greystorm's words clearly agreeing with the other tom. "Just be careful kit, I don't want to see you get hurt…" Greystorm's voice was heavy with worry and his face shined with a desire to protect the living tom. Stonesight smiled and gave a soft nod, "of course I'll make sure to be careful." he confirmed he would keep himself out of harm's way; Greystorm purred "good I don't know what I would do if you get hurt." Greystorm licked the top of Stonesight's forehead purring loudly. Stonesight used his good forepaw to re ruffle his fur back to its usual appearance; Stonesight smiled as he noticed the starry cat's forms begin to fade. Becoming more and more transparent before all that was left was their faces; Greystorm was smiling in his usual toothy grin, Minkpaw's eyes were soft and filled with kindness and Thistledawn was full of eagerness. Then with a little less than a blink they were gone no signs that they had ever been there in the first place. Stonesight gave a long sigh before Creamstripe padded over to him his pawsteps causing an echoing effect to ring out, Stonesight turned his head towards Creamstripe who stopped right beside Stonesight. Creamstripe towered over Stonesight having broad shoulders and a muscular frame; "Stonesight, how is Leafstorm?" Creamstripe's tone was filled with worry, Stonesight gave a soft smile; Leafstorm and Creamstripe spent a lot of time together. "Yeah Leafstorm has woken up thanks to Starclan." he responded with a soft purr, Creamstripe gave a long sigh of relief and without another word to Stonesight he raced off the temporary medicine den pushing his way inside. Stonesight smiled fondly as he watched the other tom heading to the medicine den, a familiar scent washed over Stonesight he blushed as Shadow made her way over to Stonesight. Shadow gave him a soft almost fond smile, she stood right beside him being slightly taller than him; she had a peaceful expression on her face clearly happy about something. "What made you so happy?" Stonesight's question came out with a softness of moss, Shadow gave a happy smile and a slight purr, "Tideripple finished kitting." Stonesight's eyes widened with relief pricked at his he heard the news; sure he was made at Tideripple for being irresponsible but he didn't want her or her kits getting hurt. "Really?! How many kits?" Stonesight's voice held a faint purr of warmth spreading through him, "a single kit; a tom." Stonesight felt a knot forming in his throat a single kit to the clans meant an ill omen for things to come that the kit would have an extremely pain filled life. Shadow must have noticed the sudden change in his expression, her tail tip flicked as her eyes alight with curiosity; "what's the matter?" Her meow was soft and filled with a gentleness that caused Stonesight's heart to skip a beat. "Well in the clans a single kitten is a bad omen, it usually means that the kitten is going to have a very difficult life." his gaze lowered to his paws he felt guilt "Oh Starclan I know Tideripple screwed up by having a mate in another clan but please don't pin the blame onto the kit." Shadow's eyes widened as she heard Stonesight's explanation she sighed softly shaking her head, "you clan cats are very odd…. You know I was born in a single kit litter, and sure my life was a bit difficult but if anything that just made me stronger." Stonesight's eyes widened as he heard Shadow's words; she hadn't told him much if not anything about her past before joining the fractured Mangoclan and Hemlockclan cats. "What… Was your life like before…." Meowed Stonesight his curiosity getting the better of him, "before I joined up with the clan cats? Well beforehand I was a rogue not an aggressive one, I would do my best to help any cat who asked for help; like my parents had taught me." Shadow's words carried an air of sadness upon mentioning her parents; Stonesight's ears pricked. "What ummm happened to your parents?" he asked softly not wanting to push her; Shadow sighed softly her whole body slumping, Stonesight laid his tail across her shoulders, she gave him a soft smile of thanks; Shadow took in a deep breath before beginning her story. "Well a long time ago my parents were from Hemlockclan, they ran away from their old home I am unsure why; but the two of them used to tell me stories of the clans. One day Mangotuft showed up with the rest of the clan cats, they told my parents everything regarding them trying to find a cure to the disease that was killing their clans. My parents were horrified upon learning about all this and decided they would go with the clan cats to find the cure; they left me behind for my own safety saying it was dangerous…. They told me once they helped their old clan they would come home, but…. They never did… I waited and waited but…. Nothing one Green-leaf morning Mangotuft and the rest of them showed up fur ruffled and panicked. They told me my parents had died having a cougar chase them to let the others escape… Their last wish was for Mangotuft and the others to tell me that they are sorry they couldn't uphold their promise to return…. At first I was angry with the clan cats, but then that night I dreamed of my parents…. Told me to forgive the clan cats and to live happily; so I… Decided to finish what my parents had started, I joined the clan cats and traveled with them till we came here." As Shadow finished her story tears dripped down her face. Stonesight curled his body around her letting her shove her face into his shoulder fur and cry. Stonesight gave a soft whisper of a sigh gently grooming Shadow's forehead as she sobbed; "clearly her parent's deaths still weigh heavily on her shoulders, she probably feels partly responsible like I do about being unable to save Mink paw…" Stonesight gazed down at Shadow his expression soft and loving, "it's not your fault… Your parents sound like extremely brave cats…. I am sure they are proud of you for making such a perilous journey; you know I wasn' born with a twisted scarred front leg…" he mewed softly causing Shadow to look up her tear stricken fur slicked down; "How did it get like that then?" she asked, her voice tight from her crying. He smiled happy he could share this story perhaps it would cheer her up; "when I was still a young apprentice there was an accident on the thunderpath, a young apprentice named Mink paw was about to be struck by a monster; I tried to get to her in time but we both ended up getting hit by the monster… Minkpaw died while I was crippled… I wanted so badly to save her but I couldn't. It wasn't my place to change Starclan's decisions. I am sure your parents are with Starclan now with Minkpaw and everyone they loved." He gave a soft smile and purr as he finished his story Shadow's eyes were filled with warmth and she stood back up her eyes shined with clearness once more. She gently licked his cheek causing a huge blush to spread across his face and eartips; "thanks for that Stonesight… You're a kind tom." she purred before nuzzling him "yeah… No problem…" he whispered as she padded off. Stonesight watched her go with a fondness he only ever felt for Shadow at that moment Cloudpaw slid up to stand beside his nephew Cloudpaw was the same height as Stonesight. Cloudpaw chuckled a bit, "you and Shadow seem close." came a slight purr of amusement from Cloudpaw causing Stonesight to stutter. "Well ummm…" he trailed off a blushing mess at his uncle's statement; Cloudpaw smirked then sighed "you know Shadow has never told anyone that story before…. So she probably sees you as a trustworthy cat." his teal blue eyes shined with humor at seeing the young cat's crush. "No need to be ashamed. I am sure she likes you back, you should tell her." Cloudpaw's voice was filled with wisdom. Stonesight's gaze shifted to Shadow who was sitting beside Peach, the mother of Stormy and Piper. "Maybe once everything settles down…" mumbled Stonesight looking unsure; Cloudpaw sighed, rolling his eyes; "you're just as bad as Clearheart was when we were paws." Cloudpaw's words caused Stonesight to prick up with interest. "What was my dad like?" he asked softly, causing a small chuckle from Cloudpaw; "well he was love stricken from a young paw named Brightpaw yes your mother… He was always staring at her during gatherings or while marking the borders… I swear all the clans could see how smitten Clearheart was; I always told him to ask her out but he always said 'when it was the right time' I guess that right time I never did get to see…." At the end of the story Cloudpaw's voice was filled with bitterness and emptiness. Stonesight glanced into Cloudpaw's eyes that sparkled with silent sadness, "why did you keep your apprentice name? Surely my mom offered to grant you your warrior name?" he asked softly not wanting to make his uncle sad; Cloudpaw sighed heavily, tail swishing back and forth as he sat down. "Well young warrior to be honest Brightstar and Clearheart offered me my warrior name but… I feel like I need to build this new clan before I am ready to accept a new name…." he gave a soft smile at the mention of his new clan. Stonesight gave a soft nod he could understand Cloudpaw's decision verily well; "wait your not staying in Blossomclan?" asked Stonesight softly feeling sad for his father and uncle if they were to separate again. Cloudpaw bowed his head, "it's true I am going to go with the rest of the group once we are ready to leave, I love Clearheart and of course am thankful to Brightstar for allowing us to stay but…. These cats are my place to stay with them, I'll visit my brother and you and your litter-mates when I can!" Cloudpaw's voice, though carried a hint of sadness, was full of sureness. Stonesight nodded slowly, swallowing, "does my dad know?" he asked softly Cloudpaw sighed and nodded his gaze filled with guilt, "he told me I can change my mind whenever I like… I know he missed me dearly and I as well but… My place is besides Mangotuft and the others and Clearheart's place is within Blossomclan." Stonesighr nodded solemnly before Cloudpaw gave a long smile standing up the older tom stood up, "well I'll see you later Stonesight, remember what I said about asking Shadow out." Stonesight blushed causing Cloudpaw to chuckle before padding off with a wave of his tail. Stonesight felt an odd feeling like a turning in the very pit of his stomach as a sudden realization struck him; "wait Cloudpaw said my father had a crush on mom before he joined Blossomclan and Cloudpaw supported it so… Does that mean having a mate in another clan isn't all that bad?!" Stonesight glanced around camp; he needed to ask someone about this; who better to ask than his own father. Stonesight spotted his father sitting beside his mother, the two mates sharing tongues as well as speaking in hushed tones; when the two of them noticed their son approaching they stopped their whispering. "What is it Stonesight?" asked Brightstar, her voice sweet as honey as it normally is; Stonesight sat in front of his parents looking down, "what is it son?" asked Clearheart softly both his parent's eyes were filled with worry. Stonesight gave a long sigh swallowing the lump in his throat down, "I… Wanted to ask you two something…" began slowly unsure how to continue on. Brightstar nodded softly "go on Stonesight you can tell us anything.." Brightstar's words were filled with honesty and Stonesight knew his mother spoke the truth. Stonesight took in a deep breath, "is being mates with a cat in another clan frowned upon?" he asked softly not realizing he was holding in breath as he waited for the answer; Clearheart and Brightstar's eyes widened in surprised Brightstar shook her head. "No, the clans have never once saw half clan relationships as bad; it was only in accident times that was ever a rule." confirmed Brightstar making Stonesight sigh in relief but also guilt. "So I shamed Tideripple for no reason! I need to go and talk to her!" he thought as guilt ate away at his insides; he scrambled to his paws quickly "thanks I need to go talk to Tideripple!" his words came out in a rush as he raced off leaving his parents smiling as they watched him race off towards the nursery; "he's grown up so much…" purred Brightstar. Clearheart purred and nodded, Stonesight pushed his way into the nursery eyes taking a moment to adjust to the light inside the nursery; he glanced down at his sister who laid in a hastily made nest beside her belly rest a single tiny kit a pale grey tom with white paws tail tip and chest. The kit was nursing off Tideripple giving tiny squeaks Tideripple's eyes kept on her single kitten but it was clear that she knew he was there. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice sharp despite her just kitting causing him to flinch; he lowered his head and eyes, "I came to apologize, I realized it was wrong of me to judge you… And your kit over something I myself do, your right I am in love with Shadow and your right I had no right to judge you and I had no right to tell the clan anything about the father of your kit I know it's far too late for me to take back all the words I said or to unsay them but… I am truly sorry." Stonesight's voice cracked as he spoke, tears dripping onto the floor; "it's alright if you hate me now I deserve it…" finished Stonesight swallowing loudly, for a moment there was silence then "his name is Rainkit." Stonesight's head jerked up seeing tears falling from Tideripple's eyes. She gave a soft smile, "I forgive you mouse brain I am just happy you apologized…" she said softly, purring as Rainkit fell asleep fully; "and I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused for our clan." she said softly shifting her gaze up to Stonesight; "the clan will be honored to have such a strong little kit!" Stonesight meowed at once his voice was fierce. Tideripple smiled softly, "glad to hear you think that, I love you Stonesight." she purred, Stonesight smiled glad he made up with his sister; "I love you too!" At that moment he heard a voice ring out "It's time for the gathering!" called Flametail. Stonesight glanced back at Tideripple who nodded, "go enjoy the gathering tell me what happens once your back!" she purred jokingly causing Stonesight to giggle and nod pushing his way out of the den; not having realized he had forgot to warn Brightstar about the dark forest….